Ambrose.J. Chakre
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]eace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
The wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. Thee is no peace, says my God, for the wicked is what the scripture says. (Isaiah 57:20-21) This seems to be so unexpected as the unexpected events of our lives are. Taking into consideration all that we had been through we may have enough experiences of what chaos and turmoil are like or we may also have experienced some events which our minds may want to forget.If there is no peace for the wicked what say will we have when our minds experiences what we dread? The scripture speaks no lies and it is only in the truth that the circumstances of our lives can either be forgiven or justified. Just as the world was destined to sin, we were destined to face all the hardships, the wounds and the hurts which we faced and will be facing. It is not unjust that we suffer and rightly we suffer because of our sins. And it is also surprising that peace is what we think of most when the waves of destruction rises against us in its cruelest form. Truth is calamities often sounds like it only when it comes and disaster often seems like it only when it happens. Trust me, it is never my intention to hurt you, neither is it my desire to wound you but to state the truth in the way I have to is what I am committed to. So many of our trying moments teaches and reminds us of the importance of peace and yes it is what we desire. There is no denying that even adulterers, thieves, prostitutes and killers desires peace. But the confronting question is- To what degree do we desire peace or do we really desire it? I trust the convictions in your mind will lead you to answers which will give you a taste of eternity and salvation. For all that we face or endure; the nature and degree of our sufferings will differ from person to person. The truth is: Often it is not pleasant to suffer when we are not in the wrong but it is also a means to train us for greater glory which comes through greater sufferings. The notion is this: If Christ who knew no sin had to suffer and die for us, should not we sinners suffer much because of our sins? Truth is Christ did not deserve death, we did but God in His mercy demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us. ( Romans 5;8 )The Prophet Isaiah also states “ Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that bought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed. ( Isaiah 53:44-5 ) It was not for his sins that Christ died but ours. The failure to understand this will mean more wound for Him and more woes for us. This is so strange, often when we talk of peace we tend to settle for the temporal, rather than desiring the eternal. Yes, it is not a new teaching but an old which is often preached but seldom understood and it is only by the Spirit of Christ that the greater revelations of it comes to us. To speak of sufferings Christ thus speaks “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart- I have overcome the world “( John 16:33 ) Tears don’t come till it comes and it is only when we suffer much we grieve much. Every moment we face are part of our history and its what we create which also determines God’s next move in our lives. Just prior to His crucifixion Christ said this “ I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve but your grieve will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pains because her time has come, but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no-one will take away your joy. (John 16:20-22)
After growing up together as a family it always hurts so much when our lov4ed ones leaves us but it is often for our own good that things happen in the way they are. The memories of my relationship with my brother who died as a baby often moves me to tears because of the intimacy between us. While he lived, he would clasp my fingers tightly looking on in innocence even as I looked at him closely. It was through his death that our family truly accepted Christ and yes the moments with him was short but lovable and powerful. That was then and this is now and it is important for to look on to the future as much as we desire life. It is important to understand that every phase of our life has its moments but death has no timing. The phases of my life has taught me so much about the truth and it was only when I endured it I began to experience the realities of life and death and of heaven and hell. Numerous prophets said this of me that death stalked me in so many instances and I would have been dead long ago but I live because of God’s holy presence in me. It is the truth and yes I live to proclaim God’s grace, love and compassion to the sinners who are still in sin, darkness and adultery. For as high as the heavens are, God’s love is for all those who fear Him. Undeserving as I was I was forgiven much and it is me who must love much. In one of my darkest moments when I was on the verge of unconsciousness I tried to reach out to Christ with the expectation to feel his hand on mine and when I couldn’t see Him I reach out for my Bible and held it close to my heart. The initiated acts were the signs of my expectation and the acts were the passion of my desires. And in the aftermath of the incident this Scripture comforted me “ Though, you have not seen him, you love him; even though you do not see him now; you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. ( 1st Peter I:8,9 ) This is what we go through and the refining period are intended at refining us as gold. It is for this salvific cause that we live and our eyes must be fixed on salvation. The scripture often tells us to desire the greater gifts and yes greater peace is what we desire not just in this life but most importantly in the age that is to come. Just as it is written with joys also comes sorrows and with hardship will also come reward.
This is the peace God offers, a peace which is holy, pure and eternal. Affirming us of this promise the Word also states “ Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not son I would have told you, I am going there to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. (John 14:1-4) This peace means salvation and salvation is what we are destined to be married to. The Spirit and the Bride say “Come! “ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes let him take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17) God is the water of life and salvation is His gift to us. And how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? (Hebrews 2:3) This means peace.
